Penningtvätt i kommersiella fastigheter : En intervjustudie om hur penningtvätt sker i kommersiella fastighete

Sammanfattning

Money laundering in Sweden is a growing societal problem, and commercial real estate has been identified as an attractive sector for integrating criminal profits into the legal economy. This is due to its high transaction values, complex ownership structures and the possibility to create legitimate income streams through rental revenues. Despite increased attention to money laundering within the real estate sector, there is still limited knowledge regarding how companies within the real estate sector in reality perceive and manage these risks. The study is based on a qualitative research approach, where empirical data was collected through semi-structured interviews with transaction advisors and representatives of the anti-money laundering departments within the banking sector. The empirical material was coded and analyzed using thematic analysis, supported by three central business administration theories: Stakeholder theory, asymmetrical information and Principal-agent-theory. The findings show that commercial real estate can be used as a tool for money laundering, for example through decoy front men, complex owner structures and the creation of seemingly legitimate cash flows through rental income. A central finding is the strong trust in Swedish banks. Several respondents view banks Anti money laundering and Know your customer processes as an important control mechanism. At the same time, the study indicates that this trust may lead to a shift in responsibility between the parties involved in the transactions. As some rely on the banks controls rather than conducting their own verification of the parties involved in the transaction. The study also identifies potential risks that economic incentives may cause parties to deprioritise their responsibilities in the background check. In conclusion, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenge the involved parties faces in efforts to prevent money laundering within the commercial real estate sector.